misuse

/mɪsˈjuːs/

verb 4noun 1

Collocations

(noun.)

ADJ

alleged, possible | serious

alcohol, drug, substance

Drug misuse can cause serious health problems if someone doesn't get help quickly.

computer

The company discovered that several employees were guilty of computer misuse and faced disciplinary action.

VERB + MISUSE

prevent | investigate

PREP

through ~

The company faced serious legal problems through misuse of customer data.

(verb.)

ADV

grossly

The company grossly misused customer data by selling it to third parties without permission.

PHRASES

widely misused

The term "natural" on food labels is widely misused by manufacturers.

Definitions

noun

An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.

The Queen may be celebrating her jubilee but the Queen's English Society, which has railed against the misuse and deterioration of the English language, is to fold.

verb

To use (something) incorrectly.

To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).

To rape (a woman); later more generally, to sexually abuse (someone).

“If that is true she would be the first case I have ever heard of, as most female captives are misused by the entire tribe.”

To abuse verbally, to insult.

Socrates was brought upon the stage by Aristophanes, and misused to his face: but he laughed, as if it concerned him not […].

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — improper or excessive use

abuse

verb — change the inherent purpose or function of something

verb — apply to a wrong thing or person

misapply

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

The Queen may be celebrating her jubilee but the Queen's English Society, which has railed against the misuse and deterioration of the English language, is to fold.

Wiktionary

“If that is true she would be the first case I have ever heard of, as most female captives are misused by the entire tribe.”

Wiktionary

Socrates was brought upon the stage by Aristophanes, and misused to his face: but he laughed, as if it concerned him not […].

Wiktionary

The word lends itself to misuse by beginners.

Tatoeba · #2724606

Misuse of prepositions can make a situation hilarious.

Tatoeba · #3492813

Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it.

Tatoeba · #4001046

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, misuse is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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